Brisbane legend Steve Renouf lashes out at the club’s poor recruitment policy

The Brisbane Broncos’ poor recruitment has come under fire from club legend Steve Renouf, who has likened the team to schoolboys.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters wants players to have some pride in their jerseys. Picture: Scott Davis / NRL Photos

Brisbane legend Steve Renouf has lashed out at the club’s poor recruitment, labelling the current crop of Broncos a “schoolboy team”.

Renouf directed his frustration at the club’s board following years of substandard recruiting.

“Unfortunately, this group of boys should never have been brought together,” Renouf fired.

“They are like a schoolboys team. Not their fault! bad recruiting! When will the recruitment side of the be held accountable?”

Renouf’s crack comes as the Broncos have lost rising halfback Tom Dearden to rivals North Queensland on a multi-year deal.

Coach Kevin Walters expressed his disappointment at losing Dearden in a statement on Monday.

“Tom confirmed to the club this morning that he has signed for the Cowboys from next season,” Walters said.

“Obviously, we are disappointed, but we have clear priorities on who we are targeting to strengthen our roster going forward.

“We will continue to work through that process in the weeks and months ahead.”

The Broncos have lost rising halfback Tom Dearden to rivals North Queensland on a multi-year deal. Picture: Liam Kidston

Walters produced a brutal post-game spray at his players after a 46-6 loss to Parramatta in Darwin.

Walters revealed he held a Brisbane jersey up to the team to remind them what it meant to play for the proud Queensland club.

“The jersey, it’s got to mean more than just running out in it,” Walters told Triple M.

“That’s what the good clubs, the clubs that are doing well at the moment, they’ve got pride in their jersey.”

Broncos great and Fox League analyst Corey Parker said there should be “huge concerns” after the lacklustre performance against the Eels.

Parker pulled apart the right-edge defence of Tevita Pangai Junior, Brodie Croft, Herbie Farnworth, and Xavier Coates.

Brisbane will receive another reminder of the club’s substandard recruitment policy on Friday when they take on ex-teammate David Fifita and his Gold Coast Titans.

Fifita has been enormous for the Titans this season, scoring nine tries and making nine line breaks in seven games.